Emergency Medical Technician Salary in Aberdeen, SD: $41,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time emergency medical technician in Aberdeen, SD earns a median $41,500/year (≈ $19.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2042). Once you factor in Aberdeen's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $44,720 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for an emergency medical technician in Aberdeen, South Dakota, is estimated to be $41,500. This figure sits notably below the national median of $47,058, indicating the local market may have some room for growth. Potential salaries can fluctuate quite a bit, with a range from $33,315 at the 10th percentile to $55,916 at the 90th percentile. Given the local economy, including opportunities for industrial and oil-field medics that often offer higher pay, the landscape for emergency medical technician salaries in Aberdeen could be influenced by these unique positions. As Aberdeen continues to develop its industrial sector, there may be increasing demand for skilled EMTs.
About the Aberdeen Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,315 | $16.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,007 | $17.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,500 | $19.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,847 | $22.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,916 | $26.88 |
Median Salary Position
11.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aberdeen
In Aberdeen, SD, the emergency medical technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,601 (2026 est.). At $41,500, the local median is 11.81% below the national median of $47,058.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aberdeen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aberdeen Emergency Medical Technician Pay Compares
Aberdeen median: $41,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aberdeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $43,685 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $47,058 | -11.81% less |
Emergency Medical Technicians in Aberdeen, SD earn a median of $41,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.81% lower than the national median of $47,058 and 5.00% below the South Dakota state average of $43,685.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aberdeen has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aberdeen, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A emergency medical technician earning $41,500 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,720 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$31,281
2025 BLS Actual
$39,218
2026 Current Est.
$41,500
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Emergency Medical Technicians in Aberdeen (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $31,281 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,348 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,332 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,985 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,218 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,916 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aberdeen metropolitan area, the median emergency medical technician salary grew 25.4% from $31,281 (2021) to $39,218 (2025). At a 5.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,635 (40.39%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aberdeen metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $33,315 – $36,007 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,007 – $41,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,500 – $46,847 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,847 – $55,916 |
EMT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual emergency medical technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Emergency Medical Technician Job Market in Aberdeen
The job market for emergency medical technicians in Aberdeen currently employs only five professionals, which suggests a small but vital workforce. The cost of living index in the area is relatively low at 92.8, meaning that EMTs can stretch their salaries further than in regions with higher living costs. Among potential employers, municipal fire departments tend to offer the most competitive pay, especially for cross-trained firefighter-EMTs due to union contracts. In contrast, private ambulance companies can provide lower wages, lagging behind the inflation rates. Those seeking to maximize their emergency medical technician pay in Aberdeen should consider advancing their qualifications to paramedic status, pursue shifts in higher-demand areas, or look for specialized roles in oil-field or industrial medicine, where wages can significantly exceed traditional EMS positions.
More salary data for Aberdeen, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do emergency medical technicians make in Aberdeen, SD in 2026?
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Can emergency medical technicians make $100K in Aberdeen?
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Written by Aisha Patel, EMT-P
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as an emergency medical technician. She specializes in pre-hospital care and triage. Aisha works primarily in urban emergency services.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $39,218 for emergency medical techniciansin the Aberdeen metropolitan area. A 5.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Aberdeen is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for emergency medical technicians (SOC 29-2042).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, EMT-P, a licensed emergency medical technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov